人物介绍

Li Xiaohua, the Director of the Endocrinology Department at Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, is a Chief Physician, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor. She is recognized as a high-level talent in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Shanghai, a leading talent in Pudong New District, an outstanding residency training instructor in Shanghai, and a nominee for the “Teacher I Admire” award at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Li Xiaohua holds several prestigious positions, including being a member of the Diabetes Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a national committee member of the China Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Alliance, the Vice Chairman of the Diabetes Branch of the Shanghai Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a committee member of the Diabetes Specialty Branch of the Shanghai Medical Association, a standing committee member of the Endocrinology and Diabetes and its Complications Committees of the Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, a member of the TCM Residency Standardization Training Branch of the Shanghai Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Chairman of the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Committee of Pudong New District.

She has undertaken 14 national, municipal, and district-level research projects, published over 50 academic papers, and holds one national invention patent along with four utility model patents. As the primary contributor, she has been awarded the Third Prize for Scientific Progress by the China Association for the Promotion of TCM Research and the Third Prize for Science and Technology by the Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.

Cloaked in her white coat, she exudes an approachable warmth through every gesture and movement, radiating an aura of reassurance that puts people at ease.

Attending to each patient with meticulous care, she patiently listens to their concerns and thoughtfully addresses every question lingering in their hearts. Over the past decade, through relentless dedication and perseverance, she has transformed the Endocrinology Department from an obscure unit into a flagship discipline of the hospital, restoring health to countless patients and reigniting hope and confidence in their lives.

Stepping into her consultation room, one is greeted by a unique warmth that permeates the air. Patients wear relaxed, heartfelt smiles, as though they’ve found a safe harbor for their souls.

She often says, “A healer’s heart should hold a tender softness. By nurturing the green sprouts in patients’ hearts with this tenderness, trust and warmth between doctor and patient can blossom.”

Behind this gentle demeanor lies countless days and nights of relentless effort and scholarly pursuit. Endocrine disorders, with their complexity and unpredictability, demand profound knowledge and extensive experience. To optimize patient outcomes, she continuously refines her expertise, blending the essence of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine to tailor the most fitting treatment for each case. She firmly believes that only by mastering and integrating these two medical systems can patients receive truly comprehensive and effective care.

Li Xiaohua, Director of the Endocrinology Department at Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, is a Chief Physician, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor.

A decade of honing her craft has earned her the respect of peers and the deep affection of patients. Yet, she remains untouched by complacency, steadfastly preserving her humility and serenity while striving for greater medical excellence.

“The integration of Chinese and Western medicine,” she reflects, “resembles a meandering river—a trickle born of springtime that silently nourishes the land, gradually converging into lakes and seas.” She humbly describes herself as a novice navigating this current, with endless uncharted territories awaiting exploration. But she holds faith: as long as compassion guides her, this river will carry her into the vast ocean of possibilities, where health and hope can be brought to countless more lives.

1. Origins at Seventh Hospital

At the head of the Yangtze River’s 20,000-li journey, nestled within the 800-year-old Gaogiao Town—a nationally renowned historical and cultural gem in Pudong New District—stands a hospital of remarkable legacy: Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital.

In 1931, under the patronage of the influential Shanghai figure Du Yuesheng, the Epidemic Hospital was founded in Gaogiao Town to combat frequent infectious outbreaks of the era. Over time, the hospital underwent multiple name changes before settling on its current title. Through the decades, the Seventh Hospital has evolved into a thriving institution, preserving excellence in traditional medicine while pioneering achievements in integrated Chinese and Western medicine. In 2013, it was designated as a Class-III Grade-A hospital for integrated medicine, serving as a critical healthcare hub for residents in northern Pudong.

“I was originally trained in Western medicine, but it was at Seventh Hospital that I encountered Chinese medicine. Here, I embarked on my journey of ‘Western medicine learning from Chinese medicine’ and the exploration of their integration. Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate,” reflects Li Xiaohua.

When speaking of her initiation into integrated medicine, Li credits Professor Wang Wenjian, former President of the Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Determined to delve deeper into this field, Li proactively sought mentorship from Wang.

“I still remember that day at the Qinghai Road outpatient department of Yueyang Hospital. When I opened the door and saw Professor Wang for the first time, the phrases ‘vigorous spirit’ and ‘youthful complexion with silver hair’ instantly came to mind. Perhaps it was from that moment that I began earnestly contemplating the integration of the two medical systems,” she recalls.

Professor Wang Wenjian, a pioneer who heeded Chairman Mao’s call for “Western medicine learning from Chinese medicine,” graduated from Shanghai Second Medical University and later chaired the Department of Integrated Medicine at Shanghai First Medical College. Despite his Western medical training, he developed profound expertise in bridging the two disciplines.

“Professor Wang always emphasized that integrated medicine isn’t merely juxtaposing two systems, but rather understanding TCM’s scientific principles through modern frameworks and inheriting its wisdom with critical thinking,” Li explains. Wang’s philosophy profoundly shaped her approach.

Gradually, Li realized that integration must transcend superficial combinations—like “toppings on rice”—and instead harmonize distinct perspectives on disease, akin to Eastern and Western cultures coexisting without hierarchy. Thus, she dedicated herself to building bridges between the two systems, fostering dialogue and synergy.

“Both TCM and Western medicine aim to study and treat diseases, but they speak different languages and think in different ways. For instance, TCM’s ‘Xiao Ke Syndrome’ corresponds to diabetes in Western terms. Our task is to uncover their common ground and articulate TCM theories through scientific discourse,” she asserts.

With these insights, Li Xiaohua’s understanding of integrated medicine deepened, propelling her medical practice to new heights.

2. Pioneering New Frontiers Through Exploration

In 2012, Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital embarked on a transformative journey, transitioning from a Western medicine-focused institution to one championing integrated Chinese and Western medicine. As head of the Endocrinology Department, Li Xiaohua had the privilege of witnessing and contributing to this decade-long evolution.

The initial phase saw a surge of enthusiasm for TCM within the hospital. Consultation rooms and wards were equipped with new TCM devices, while cultural displays promoting traditional medicine proliferated. Doctors immersed themselves in memorizing herbal formulas and documenting TCM-based medical histories, while nurses worked tirelessly to master TCM techniques.

“Back then, everyone worked hard, but doubts lingered,” Li recalls. “Some Western-trained physicians viewed the integration as redundant—an unnecessary layer atop their existing practice. The sheer volume of TCM knowledge to absorb felt overwhelming. Some resisted, believing the effort unsustainable, and chose to leave.”

As time passed, Li moved beyond initial uncertainties into deeper reflection, realizing that mere superficial combination of the two systems would never suffice.

A pivotal moment arrived in 2015 when the hospital formally became an affiliate of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This partnership provided Li’s team with enhanced academic support and resources. Clinically, she began collaborating closely with Professor Wang Wenjian, accelerating departmental progress.

“Looking back, we owe immense gratitude to Professor Wang’s guidance,” Li reflects. “From that point, our theoretical and practical frameworks gradually absorbed elements of both medical cultures. As we stepped through the gate of integrated medicine, we encountered unresolved questions with no ready-made answers. Where was the path? It could only be forged beneath our own feet.”

Professor Wang identified “spleen deficiency leading to metabolic stagnation” as the TCM pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, developing the “Yiqi Huaju” (Qi-boosting and aggregation-resolving) therapeutic method and corresponding herbal formulas. Clinically, this approach demonstrated remarkable improvements in patients’ weight, blood glucose, lipid profiles, fatty liver, and inflammatory markers.

“We built upon Professor Wang’s academic legacy, merging his ‘Yiqi Huaju’ theory with modern medicine to enhance diabetes remission rates,” Li explains. “This has become our department’s signature treatment protocol. His scientific rigor and critical thinking taught us that integration isn’t about stacking practices, but finding common ground and articulating TCM principles through scientific language.”

Through this process, Li gradually overcame early uncertainties while receiving strong institutional support from both Pudong New District authorities and hospital leadership.

“Pudong provided policy backing for integration and funded key projects like our TCM peak discipline program,” she notes. “This platform empowered us to conduct research and practice with greater confidence. Through relentless exploration, we discovered an evidence-based integration path that tangibly improves patients’ quality of life.”

Today, the philosophy of integrated medicine has become deeply rooted in the Endocrinology Department’s culture under Li’s stewardship. While acknowledging the path’s challenges, she remains steadfast in its promise: “This journey is arduous, yet brimming with hope.”

3. Syncretic Innovation in Practice

Under Li Xiaohua’s leadership, the Endocrinology Department has undergone transformative growth since 2012. From operating two consultation rooms with 4-5 physicians handling 2,000 monthly outpatient visits, the department now boasts a one-stop outpatient center staffed by 13 doctors managing over 10,000 visits monthly. Inpatient capacity expanded from a 20-bed mixed ward to an independent unit discharging over 2,000 patients annually. These achievements stem from persistent exploration of integrated medicine over the past decade.

Reflecting on this journey, Li emphasizes the importance of addressing society’s most pressing health challenges to forge departmental strengths. The alarming trend of early-onset diabetes now dominates her focus. “Young adults bear immense familial and societal responsibilities. A diabetes diagnosis compounds their burdens,” she explains. Her team prioritizes achieving diabetes remission—defined as restoring blood glucose and lipid levels to target ranges through short-term pharmaceutical or lifestyle interventions—particularly vital for younger patients.

Precision Meets Holism
The department’s innovative sequential therapy model synergizes Western medicine’s diagnostic precision with TCM’s systemic wisdom:

Western Strengths

Diagnostic accuracy: Advanced tools like biochemical assays and body composition analysis enable precise evaluation of diabetes progression and obesity patterns.

Acute intervention: Medications including insulin and GLP-1 agonists (e.g., semaglutide) deliver rapid glycemic control and weight reduction.

TCM Advantages

Holistic perspective: Addresses root causes through syndrome differentiation, considering qi-blood balance and organ interactions. For diabetic patients with symptoms like chronic fatigue or limb numbness, therapies might combine spleen-tonifying herbs with blood-activating formulas.

Long-term management: Emphasizes lifestyle recalibration and preventive care through herbal regimens and dietary guidance.

Evidence-Based Innovations
The department has developed groundbreaking protocols:

Huoxue Tongluo Formula: This blood-activating herbal compound, administered via iontophoresis (targeted ion delivery), significantly alleviates neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. The patented method, supported by Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission funding, reports improved peripheral circulation and symptom relief.

In-hospital preparations: Custom topical formulations effectively address diabetes-related dermatological complications like refractory rashes.

Collaborative Care Model
A multidisciplinary team (MDT) integrating endocrinologists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation specialists ensures comprehensive patient management. “This collaborative approach enables timely intervention and scientifically grounded care for diabetes and obesity,” Li notes. The MDT framework streamlines care delivery while optimizing long-term outcomes.

Through this fusion of tradition and innovation, Li’s team continues redefining metabolic disorder management—proving that integrated medicine can deliver both scientific rigor and compassionate care.

4. Medical-Educational Integration: Inheritance and Advancement

As the department progresses, Li Xiaohua emphasizes the critical role of scientific research in advancing integrated medicine. Quoting Liang Qichao’s insight—“No one can explain the healing principles of Chinese medicine in terms understandable to all”—she stresses the urgency to “demystify ancient medical theories using modern scientific language.”

“As practitioners of integrated medicine, we bear the responsibility to globalize TCM’s acceptance,” Li asserts. Her team has pioneered research on herbal bioactive compounds targeting glucose-lipid metabolic disorders. Through isolating and studying specific TCM monomers, they identified multiple components that enhance pancreatic β-cell function or mitigate obesity, with mechanistic insights published in high-impact journals. These breakthroughs earned support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and garnered national and municipal scientific awards.

“Frankly, we’re merely scratching the surface of this profound discipline. Sometimes I feel like a novice, humbled by the vast unknowns,” Li admits. “Yet our modest achievements fuel our perseverance.”

Beyond research, knowledge dissemination remains pivotal. The department annually hosts national continuing medical education programs, convening TCM and Western medicine experts to address clinical challenges. “These forums not only elevate our team’s expertise but also propagate integrated medicine principles to grassroots practitioners,” she explains.

Today, the department stands as a beacon of excellence: designated as a Shanghai Municipal TCM Cultivation Specialty, Pudong New Area’s TCM Summit Discipline, and a regional distinctive specialty. It also co-founded the Yangtze River Delta TCM and Integrated Medicine Endocrinology Alliance, while earning titles like “China’s Best Clinical and Research-Oriented TCM Specialty” from Alibi rankings.

“Integrated medicine expands therapeutic options for patients while elevating our medical team’s capabilities,” Li reflects. “This path demands open-mindedness, relentless learning, and practice. I’m confident that persistence will unlock greater healing potential for countless lives.”

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Why do you emphasize the importance of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) thinking?

Dr. Li Xaohua

 

In fact, when communicating with patients, using the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can greatly enhance their understanding. The holistic, dialectical, and balanced perspectives of TCM are particularly crucial. Western medicine primarily relies on laboratory tests or diagnostic indicators to prescribe treatments, while TCM focuses on assessing the patient’s overall condition by observing systemic symptoms, tongue, pulse, and other direct information.

Nowadays, Western medicine has become increasingly specialized, categorizing by organ systems and even reaching the cellular level. However, this level of precision can sometimes overlook the interconnectedness of the whole body. Therefore, I believe that combining Western medical technology with TCM thinking is essential.

Currently, medical school specializations are so narrow that doctors often lose the opportunity to integrate knowledge from different medical disciplines. TCM thinking can help us understand diseases more comprehensively. As clinicians, our primary goal is to treat and save lives, and the way we think plays a vital role in clinical practice. This is where the greatest strength of integrated medicine lies.

In the future, while technology and equipment will continue to advance, the way we think will remain the most critical factor.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

How did the Department of Endocrinology evolve from its inception to gradually develop into a specialized discipline with integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine characteristics? In this transformation process, what do you consider the most critical factor?

？

Dr. Li Xiaohua

 

I consider myself very fortunate, as many unconscious actions have led me down the path of integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. Perhaps this is what we often refer to as fate. In daily communication, we frequently use TCM terminology and concepts to explain medical conditions, which, in essence, is a subtle practice of integrating TCM and Western medicine. Initially, our department did not particularly emphasize this integration, but as our practice deepened, we discovered that combining TCM and Western medicine not only helps reduce the burden on patients but also achieves better treatment outcomes. For example, TCM methods can achieve similar effects to Western medicine at a lower cost, which is highly beneficial for patients. The key is that during the process of integration, we can flexibly adjust treatment plans based on the specific conditions of patients, providing us with broader development opportunities. It’s not necessary to rigidly adhere to a 50% Western medicine and 50% TCM ratio to be considered “integrated medicine.” As long as the best results are achieved, even a 10% TCM and 90% Western medicine approach is valid. Whether it’s TCM, Western medicine, or their integration, our ultimate goal is to better serve patients and improve treatment efficacy.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

What is your perspective on the concept of “unity of heaven and human” in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Dr. Li Xiaohua

 

The concretization of the concept of “unity of heaven and human” has very important applications in clinical practice. For example, when managing patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, we find that many people’s illnesses are actually due to deviations from natural laws and normal life trajectories. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes balance and holism, and often the root of disease lies in a mismatch in lifestyle. When patients face illness, it’s not just a physiological issue but also a psychological burden. Taking medication itself can be stressful, and this burden gradually accumulates, even leading to psychological resistance. Sometimes, people feel a sense of helplessness in the face of their own aging, which is also a manifestation of natural laws. Therefore, the thinking of TCM can help us better prevent and manage diseases. Personally, I greatly enjoy reading the “Huangdi Neijing” (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine). Many of the concepts in this book share similarities with modern life cycle management. Through the “Huangdi Neijing,” we can better understand how to address different health challenges at various stages of life, which is very helpful for both our work and daily lives. The wisdom of TCM originates from ancient times, while modern technology provides us with more scientific tools. The combination of these two is extremely precious.

 

ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Besides work, what are your hobbies? Or how do you balance work and life?

Dr. Li Xiaohua

 

I enjoy listening to music and have a fondness for classical poetry. I am also deeply interested in humanities and social sciences. Many classic works are worth revisiting repeatedly, as they contain profound wisdom that provokes much reflection on life and nourishes us spiritually. Additionally, I listen to lectures on medicine, philosophy, and history on various media platforms. These topics help me relax and enhance my understanding from multiple dimensions. On weekends, I particularly enjoy tuning into various interview programs; the dialogues and thought processes in these shows often provide me with a lot of inspiration. I believe it’s beneficial to set aside some free time to engage in activities that interest me, such as reading biographies, historical books, and philosophical classics. Through these studies, one can find more meaning in life, and this process of inheriting classic knowledge is immensely beneficial to me.

Interview/Zhiwei Gong     Editor/Qing Chen

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